CALABAR, CROSS RIVER STATE— In a significant boost to Nigeria’s technological education landscape, the leading Financial Technology (Fintech) company, OPay, has revealed strategies to develop a specialized cybersecurity lab at the University of Calabar (UniCal).
The statement was made on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, during a top-level strategic visit by the OPay delegation to the organization’s Vice-Chancellor, Teacher Offiong Offiong.
The project, which is set to be carried out by Hunter Flex Intercoms Construction Company, represents a substantial growth of the partnership between the Fintech giant and the university, which initially started in 2023.
Bridging the International Cyber-Skills Gap
The proposed laboratory is designed to work as a modern incubator for digital security, supplying students with the tools and environment needed to master ethical hacking, information protection, and digital forensics.
Speaking during the visit, the leader of the OPay delegation, Itoro Udo, stressed that the company is dedicated to delivering “tangible and impactful jobs” that move beyond theoretical knowing.
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The effort comes at a time when the international need for cybersecurity experts is at an all-time high, particularly within Africa’s quickly broadening digital economy.
Core Objectives of the Cybersecurity Lab:
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Technical Proficiency: Hands-on training in recognizing and alleviating systemic digital threats.
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Market Readiness: Aligning trainee jobs with the real-world security requirements of the Fintech sector.
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Infrastructure Support: Enhancing UniCal’s internal technological structure and research study capability.
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Development Center: Providing an area for trainees to develop proprietary security procedures for Nigerian platforms.
Strategic Assistance for NUGA 2026
Beyond technological investment, OPay also announced its commitment to supporting the University of Calabar in hosting the 2026 Nigeria University Games (NUGA), arranged for August. This dual-pronged support highlights the firm’s strategy of investing in both the intellectual and physical development of Nigerian youths.
Professor Offiong, the Vice-Chancellor, applauded OPay for the prompt intervention, keeping in mind that the lab would place UniCal trainees ahead of their peers in the competitive digital innovation space. He reaffirmed the university’s dedication to supplying all essential logistical support to guarantee the job’s successful shipment.
Sustaining Technological Gains
The Vice-Chancellor even more revealed that the university is institutionalising key sporting and technological facilities to make sure that the gains from the 2026 games and the brand-new OPay lab are sustained for future generations.
The lab is anticipated to be a cornerstone of the university’s Faculty of Physical Sciences, working as a local center for cybersecurity quality in the South-South geopolitical zone.
The existence of the building and construction company during the check out signifies an immediate commencement of the structural and technical setup phases.